Month: November 2017

It’s December! It’s very very cold. But the sun is shining and the weekend’s racing is about to get underway! There are 11 Friday races at Busan from 11:30 to 18:00:

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 55 Million

Small field of just eight juveniles to kick things off but they’re going round for a big prize here. There are three first-timers and of them (1) GIOI BLADE looks a decent prospect. He won a trial in good fashion a month ago and this is a nice race to debut in. However, the favourite will be (7) CHEONYEONUITAEYANG. 2nd and 3rd in two starts to date, most recently in a fast time in capable company, he’s hard to oppose. (5) GRAY STORM looks the pick of the rest. She comes in freshened and had shown improvement in her latest start. (2) TANGO AND TANGO and (8) EL DRAGON can improve on underwhelming debuts.

The second round of juveniles come out here and this looks like a slightly more open contest. Four debut-makers this time and a couple look to have very solid claims first-up. Both (1) JANGSEONGUI JILJU and (5) ARAM NARAE trialled up very nicely and both have top jockeys on board. Watch the market with those two and with the other two first-time starters, (3) ORYONG and (7) GANGHAN JILJU. Among the ones with prior experience, (4) TWO TWO ACE and (8) SONGAM MYEONGJANG both showed signs of not being completely useless and could improve here.

Selections

(1) Jangseongui Jilju (5) Aram Narae (4) Two Two Ace (3) Oryong

Next Best

8, 7

Fast Start

1, 4, 6

Race 3: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 55 Million

The third consecutive juvenile race and we’re returning to the An Woo Sung/Jo In Kwen combination here with (7) TANGY BITE, impressive in trials and very nicely in first-up here. (5) MISS TANK has a 3rd and a 2nd in two outings to date and has every chance of making the breakthrough here while (6) THUNDER STRUCK had a hard time stepped up to 1200M last start but comes in fresh and dropped back in trip today and should be (more…)

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After Saturday’s storms, it’s set to be a calmer day in Korea. There are 11 races at Seoul from 10:45 to 18:00 while at Busan there 6 races from 12:40 to 17:05. Only Seoul is being simulcasted overseas today:

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Twelve maiden fillies kick things off for us today and (12) FOREVER WINNER debuted creditably in a decent race six weeks ago, should have come on for the experience and can overcome the outside gate here to breakthrough. Her main rival is also drawn wide. That’s (11) SIMPLE RULES, who’s come home in 3rd place in both of his two outings so far and will look to get right on the early speed from the start So will (6) SAE DIXIE, an improved 2nd at the end of October albeit in possibly slightly weaker company. (5) RAISE ME UP and (7) FIRST QUEEN are two others who have shown some ability so far and can be considered.

Selections

(12) Forever Winner (11) Simple Rules (6) Sae Dixie (5) Raise Me Up

Next Best

7, 1

Fast Start

6, 8, 11

Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

(3) MUSA didn’t exactly pull up any trees on debut back in September – in fact he was so naughty, he was handed a two-month ban for his racing manners and forced to trial up twice. He blitzed through those trials on consecutive October Fridays in such a manner that he’s going to be favourite to win on his return today. Only four of the other have raced before with (1) KING POSE looking the best of them although improvement will be expected today from (2) RAON DOLPUNG. That leaves us with seven first-time starts among whom (4) POP STREET and (8) LIVINGSTONE caught the eye in trials.

Selections

(3) Musa (1) King Pose (4) Pop Street (8) Livingstone

Next Best

2, 9

Fast Start

2, 3, 8, 10

Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

(1) JUNGDONG JIJON beat (2) WILD DRAGON as the pair finished 3rd and 4th over this distance on October 26th. The margin between them was a length and both look to be on an upward trajectory. Wild Dragon will be on the early speed here while Jungdong Jijon will likely truck in just behind. (12) JUMEOK DOKKI was a slightly disappointing 4th on his first try at this distance three weeks ago but should get another chance here. Likewise (11) JIGONG JEIL returns after eight weeks out and the extra half furlong today may well suit. He was beaten last time by (7) STRONG CAPTAIN and while that one went on to race poorly behind Jumeok Dokki earlier this month, a challenge for the minor money can’t be ruled out.

Selections

(2) Wild Dragon (12) Jumeok Dokki (1) Jungdong Jijon (11) Jigong Jeil

Next Best

7, 5, 8

Fast Start

2, 7, 9

Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

(3) FIRE WIND enters having finished a really good 5th in the Gwacheon Mayor’s Cup at the end of October and despite coming up against older fillies here, has to be the pick. She’ll be on pace early and can go all the way. Back in September, Fire Wind beat (12) SEUNGJAUI MISO, the latter finishing 4th that day on what was her debut. She returned a good winner at 1000M last month, is up in class here and is in the frame. Also up in class, though still a maiden, is (1) ALL OF ME. She’s been 2nd to good winners in both starts so far and gets the services of the champion jockey today. Those are the three juveniles in the field but a couple of the older ones are dangers too. (8) DURGA is a (more…)

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12 Saturday races at Seoul with the first at 10:45 and the last at 18:00:

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

There were three months between (10) J.S STORM’s first and second starts but he showed enough in 5th on his October return to suggest that he has solid claims here. He led that day before weakening but he may be ridden bit more patiently from a wider gate today and could have too much. (2) I B S MAN demonstrated some progress last time and can keep that going today while (4) WHITE ERICA managed an unexpected 3rd place on what was her fourth start three weeks ago and can build on that today. (5) SARYEONI THUNDER and (8) ROYAL ACE are others in the frame.

Selections

(10) J.S. Storm (2) I B S Man (4) White Erica (5) Saryeoni Thunder

Next Best

8, 7

Fast Start

2, 4, 5, 8

Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

Only four of these gave raced before and while none of them caught the eye, both (5) GONGJU SARANG and (7) PANGPANG GARI will be expected to improve here. The former showed close to the front on debut before weakening a little but showed some sign of talent. Among the debut-makers, (9) MERRY WHITE trialled up nicely and looks worth a chance first-up as do (8) THE PRIMA and (10) JEONGSANG MUJEOK.

Selections

(9) Merry White (5) Gongju Sarang (7) Pangpang Gari (8) The Prima

Next Best

10, 3

Fast Start

3, 5, 7, 8

Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

Five of the twelve have raced before and we’ll go with (7) DORAON ACHIM HAE to score ahead of a distinctly moderate looking bunch. He started slowly but finished off well for 4th on debut and should appreciate the further trip today. None of the others who’ve raced before showed much although (5) CHOM NIA is another who looked to need further, so we’ll turn to the newcomers to find dangers. (12) COMPLETE SWEEP was fast in his trial and could go well from the outside. (8) RAON SIRIUS and (10) CHAPEL ACE are others who trialled well and can be given a chance here.

Selections

(7) Doraon Achim Hae (12) Complete Sweep (8) Raon Sirius (5) Chom Nia

Next Best

10, 2

Fast Start

1, 6

Race 4: Class 6 (1700M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

(2) CLEAN UP SECRET has shown enough in three outings to date to suggest he has wins in him and while he was a beaten favourite last time, he’s going to be strongly favoured to score this time, possibly leading gate to wire on his first try around two turns. (1) NANGMAN STAR took to the distance well last time out and can go well again as did (3) ONE TWO THREE and they should both get close. The main danger though could well be another who tries the distance for the first time. That’s (4) BULSA BULPAE, who has (more…)

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First snow of the year swept across the Korean peninsula this week. It didn’t hang around for long though and it should be relatively mild for the weekend’s racing which gets underway at Busan on Friday with 11 races from 11:30 to 18:00. All races available on most ADW’s in the USA (Happy Thanksgiving!) and also on the Aussie Tab. Here are the previews:

Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

Tricky one to start off with but we’ll give the nod to (8) RED CLOUD, who beat a couple of these on his way to 2nd place in a decent race over this distance on what was just his second start four weeks ago. Not a fast starter but with a strong finish, he could well go one better today. (11) GAMUNUI YEONGGWANG and (12) CHOEGANG STEALTH were 3rd and 4th in that race and while they have a bit to find, it’s not impossible that they could get a bit closer today but more potent threats look to be (4) BAENGNYEON SIDAE and (5) YEONGGWANGUIWINNER with the former a good 2nd at the distance last time and the latter having raced in tough company on his latest two.

Only four of these twelve fillies have raced before and even those just once apiece. Of those four (3) TOP EURO and (7) BAEKDU QUEEN did ok and will be backed but the favourite is going to be one of the debut-makers. That’s (11) RAINHA, a Gold Allure filly who will be sporting the Yoshida colours. Trained by Kim Young Kwan, she easily won a trial all the way back in August and her debuted has been anticipated for some time. Of the other first-timers, (1) DAEDONG WINNER, a half-sister to Tohamsan, winner of eight from eighteen in Korea, also trialled up nicely and looks to have some potential as does (5) DREAM CAT.

Selections

(11) Rainha (3) Top Euro (1) Daedong Winner (5) Dream Cat

Next Best

7, 4

Fast Start

1, 3, 5, 11

Race 3: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 55 Million

Juveniles only here and half are first timers and half have raced once before. We’re going to go with the ones who have experience. (3) UJU DAEWANG was favourite on debut three weeks ago following a strong showing in trials and while he could only manage 2nd, demonstrated enough to be put on top here. Also good on debut was (11) DAMYANG GONGJU, who overcame a bad start to run on nicely for 3rd and can improve today. (2) GYOHAKSANGJANG only managed 6th on her debut but it was a tough race over 1200M and today should suit a little better. Among the debut-makers, the ones to make note of are (1) RAON JEONSEOL and (12) YUHWI, both of whom showed a bit of speed in trials.

(2) CHOEGANG BOLT beat (5) VICAR OF THE SUN on her way to 2nd place at this distance on October 20th. However, the latter overturned that form back at 1300M two weeks later. Both should be in the hunt today. (10) ADELE HERO was behind the pair of them in that latest race but does have a 3rd to his name at this distance while likewise (7) ACE VICTORY has also shown some aptitude at a mile and will be well backed here. Neither (more…)

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Both Seoul & Busan hosted big, valuable races for two-year-olds on Sunday. Last year the winners of the corresponding events turned out to be Cheongdam Dokki at Seoul, who has gone on to become one of the highest rated horses in Korea; and I’m Your Father at Busan, winner of July’s Busan Mayor’s Cup. This time 8/1 chance Yeongcheon Derby took the honours on the south coast in the Gyeongnam Do Min Ilbo Cup, while in the capital, P.K. Party maintained her 100% record by winning the Nonghyup Chairman’s Trophy.

Yeongcheon Derby was a comfortable winner at Busan on Sunday (Pic: KRA)

Seoul’s race was especially competitive with almost half of the 13-strong field arriving hitherto unbeaten. Despite having won all her five prior races, P.K. Party, the only Korean-bred among them (imported in-utero) and one of only three fillies, was only sent off as fourth-favourite in the market. As it transpired, she made all, bounding out of gate 7 under Kim Yong Geun and holding off the late challenge of OP Seven to win by half a length on the line and secure another big race win for trainer Song Moon Gil, who was recording his eight Group or Listed victory of 2017.

At Busan, things were more straightforward for Yeongcheon Derby. Hot favourite Blue Chipper got a bad start and never looked settled, handing Choi Si Dae the initiative on Yeongcheon Derby. The pair went to the front and never looked in any danger at all as they cruised to a four-length triumph.

A couple of big Juvenile races highlight the Sunday programs at both Seoul and Busan. Six unbeaten ones headline the Nonghyup Chairman’s Trophy at Seoul while at Busan, Bart Rice, Peter Wolsley and Thomas Gillespie all saddle fancied ones in the Gyeongnam DoMin Ilbo. Seoul has 11 Sunday races from 10:45 to 18:00 while Busan has 6 from 12:40 to 17:05.

I’m Your Father (right) won the Do-Min Ilbo in 2016 and went on to beat Triple Nine in the Mayor’s Cup this year (Pic: KRA)

Only Seoul is available on overseas simulcast so previews on Seoul races are below. For Busan selections, scroll to the bottom:

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

(8) AMAZING PEACE beat (9) BROWN BOMBER when the pair ran 3rd and 4th in a similar race over the same distance on October 21st. There was only a nose between them, however, and both look firmly in the frame here. Neither have been the fastest of starters so far and nor has the other main fancy, Midshipman gelding (6) HESEDEU, second when favourite last start, but they will all be looking to get away quickly here and whichever one manages it best, may well win. The others all need to find improvement with (4) SKY DOLPUNG and (10) CREMOA POWER perhaps most likely while (3) POWER KOREA has demonstrated already that he can start well and could be an interesting outsider.

Selections

(8) Amazing Peace (9) Brown Bomber (6) Hesedeu (3) Power Korea

Next Best

4, 10

Fast Start

3, 4, 6, 8

Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

Juveniles only here and it sees seven fillies up against two colts. (5) MYEONGPUM BOBAE was an encouraging 2nd on debut on October 14th, running on nicely in a quick contest and could well make the breakthrough here. She’ll be on pace early alongside the other two top picks, (7) GEUMA THUNDER and (3) HANSEN GLORY. The pair finished 3rd and 4th when they raced each other in a different race the same day, beaten only by a couple of useful looking types. (1) PRIMO also debuted well a week later, briefly leading close to home before having to settle for 2nd. There are three debut-makers and among them, (8) LAST CONCERT looked the most capable in trials.

Selections

(5) Myeongpum Bobae (7) Geuma Thunder (3) Hansen Glory (1) Primo

Next Best

8, 4

Fast Start

1, 3, 5, 7

Race 3: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

More juveniles here and a slightly weaker looking contest with a slightly stronger favourite. (3) GEOSEN MAPUNG was 3rd on debut on October 22nd, having been prominent throughout and a similar performance today should see her home on top. (1) IRYEO HAYEO and (5) SEUNGRI PLUS also showed some promise on their respective debuts and can be considered as did, to a lesser extent, (2) DUSON WANGJA. However, the main danger may come from one of the four first-time starters. That’s (8) LET’S YEONGCHEON who trialled up nicely for an in-form stable and has the champion jockey on board.

Fillies (and two mares) only here and a tricky puzzle it is too with roughly half the field looking to have claims. We’re going to go with the two who come in having won their latest starts, beginning with (2) CHEONGUN ILHO. She’s up in class after a comfortable maiden victory last time over this distance five weeks ago. That win had been coming and she should cope with the step up in competition. The other is (4) BAEKSAN YEOWANG. She was also winning for the first time but in her case, it was at this class and with another of today’s contenders, (3) PYEWOL SUHWA back in 3rd. Baeksan Yeowang (more…)

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We’re expecting sub-zero temperatures across the peninsula on Saturday but racing goes on! There are 12 races at Seoul from 10:45 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

He didn’t do much in his first couple of outings but (2) CAPTAIN POWER has come on nicely in two since, landing back to back 3rd place finishes, first at this distance and then at 1300M and he looks ready to get his first win today. (10) BIG AURORA was a much improved 2nd a month ago and looks to be a danger while (5) DUSON EYE’s latest two also give cause for optimism. (3) HWANGGEUM JUMEONI did nothing on debut but Kim Yong Geun staying on will lend him some supporters. (7) STORMY PASSION is the most experienced in the race – not necessarily a good thing at class 6 – and should be beating plenty.

Selections

(2) Captain Power (10) Big Aurora (5) Duson Eye (7) Stormy Passion

Next Best

3, 9

Fast Start

1, 2, 5, 11

Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

(1) ROYAL BOKSUNI and (7) KYU JEU ran 2nd and 3rd behind a very good winner at this distance on October 22nd. Three of the others who go here were well back behind them that day and while both are favoured here in this all-filly contest, it is Royal Boksuni who will be strong favourite to get her maiden win. Along with Kyu Jeu, (10) BAEKDU MIR looks most likely to challenge the favourite following a solid 2nd place last time out. (4) MINDEULRE CHUKJE and (5) DONGSEO GADEUK others in the placing hunt.

Selections

(1) Royal Boksuni (10) Baekdu Mir (7) Kyu Jeu (4) Mindeulre Chukje

Next Best

5, 8

Fast Start

1, 9, 11

Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

(3) LUCKY BONGHWA was beaten a good ten-lengths into 2nd by the promising Mask a month ago but has shown enough to suggest he should have too much for this field here. He’s got one place better in each of his four starts today and can complete the final step into the winner’s circle here. (4) KHENDUM POWER has also been getting closer to a win, leading until close to home last time before having to settle for 2nd and can do similar today. (6) FIRST RUNNER and (7) UPDATE likewise haven’t been too far away in recent efforts and can get close. (10) MORE RICH was beaten by First Runner on his latest start two months ago but isn’t totally without a chance of overturning that form here.

Selections

(3) Lucky Bonghwa (4) Khendum Power (6) First Runner (10) More Rich

Next Best

7, 5

Fast Start

2, 3, 4

Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

Juveniles only here with two first-timers joining seven who have raced before. (9) GRAY GALAXY beat (6) GEUMSUN YOU on what was the latter’s debut on October 21st. Both are in the frame here as is (4) WOOSEORA ICHEON, who race for the first time since beating Gray Galaxy when running 2nd on debut on September 2nd. (2) ORANGE SOCKS and (5) (more…)